Long Live the DPP Factions! – Appendices

Sadly, there are few English-language resources on the DPP’s factions. The readings listed below are invaluable insights into the history and interactions of the factions, and are all highly recommended.

Tuan Yi-kang (段宜康) could be considered “the face” of New Tide, being one of it’s most prominent members. Tuan is the former New Tide convenor, and was an outspoken critic of the DPP’s decision to dissolve the factions in 2006. Tuan shares a good relationship with Tsai Ing-wen, and has been humorously called “the New Tide ambassador stationed in Tsai’s office” (新系駐英代表) by news magazine, The Journalist.

Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) is a subordinate of former Pingtung County Magistrate and New Tide elder Tsao Chi-hung (曹啟鴻). Chung is also a member of Pingtung’s “Big Su” faction, along with DPP elder Su Tseng-chang, and Pingtung County Magistrate Peng Men-an. (2014-07-20). 民進黨中執委選舉 新潮流系大贏家. The Liberty Times (自由時報), retrieved from: http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1059858

Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳) is perhaps mayor Chen’s closest ally in the Legislative Yuan. She’s been labelled Chen’s “second-in-command” by netizens, and also Chen’s likely pick for Kaohsiung mayor in 2018. Liu is part of the DPP’s Central Standing Committee (CSC).

Lee Kun-tse (李昆澤) is the nephew of Chen Chu. Lee also once served as assistant to “Mr. Clean”, AKA former Yilan magistrate and Minister of Justice, Chen Ding-nan (陳定南). Lee is also a former special assistant to Tsai Ing-wen.

Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) is one of Chen Chu’s subordinates, and the victor of a DPP candidate nomination contest between the Hsieh faction, and the Chen Shui-bian faction. Lai previously worked at Kaohsiung city hall as the head of the Marine bureau. Lai is also the former assistant to former DPP legislator Lai Chin-lin (賴勁麟), also a New Tide member. Lai Chin-lin is coincidentally also the father of prominent Sunflower Movement leader Lai Pin-yu (賴品妤).

Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) is considered a former member of Chen Shui-bian’s faction; she’s since moved over to the Chen Chu camp, and is married to Kaohsiung deputy mayor Lee Yung-te (李永得). Chiu has had a number of public disagreements with New Tide in the past.

Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) has an excellent working relationship with Chen Chu, whose election in 2012 was due to Chen’s tireless campaigning for Hsu. It appears Hsu does not have any direct connection the New Tide faction.

Chung Kung-chao (鍾孔炤) is the former director of Kaohsiung’s Labor Affairs Bureau, and has known Chen Chu for more than 20 years. It appears Hsu does not have any direct connection the New Tide faction.

Frida Tsai Pei-hui (蔡培慧) is the former secretary-general of the Taiwan Rural Front (台灣農村陣線) and one of Tsai Ing-wen’s star “professional-type” legislators. She likely does not belong to any DPP faction, but she shares a close friendship with two prominent New Tide faction members, current DPP legislator Lin Shu-fen (林淑芬), and former DPP legislator Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇).

Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) is the speaker of the Legislative Yuan, and a close-confidante of Tsai. Su was the DPP’s losing 2012 vice-presidential candidate. Su was a former member of the Welfare State Alliance faction (福利國連線), and had a close relationship with Frank Hsieh.

Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君) Cheng is one of Tsai’s long-term supporters, acting as Tsai’s spokesperson during her unsuccessful run for New Taipei City in 2010. Her husband is very rich. Her question period videos on youtube are legendary.

Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) was a short-lived mayor of Kaohsiung, and a former member of Chen Shui-bian’s faction. He has been one of Tsai’s most consistent allies within the DPP., and a former party spokesperson. His question period videos on youtube are also legendary.

Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) is Tsai’s former campaign spokesperson, and has been regarded by media reports as a Tsai subordinate. As a former New Taipei City councillor, Lo intended to run for mayor of New Taipei in 2014, but was sidelined by Yu Shyi-kun.

Chen Ming-wen (陳明文) is often referenced as a member of the “Chiayi Gang” (嘉義幫), however he is more often than not linked with Chiayi County’s Lin family faction. The Lin faction was formerly a local KMT faction, but switched it’s allegiance to the DPP. Chen Ming-wen has been one of Tsai’s strongest supporters and allies within the party.

Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) Lin has acted as spokesperson for Tsai on a number of occasions, and is considered an ally of Tsai on the DPP’s Central Executive Committee. Lin is also a strong supporter of Tainan mayor William Lai.

Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) previously worked under former premier Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺), but resigned in protest after Jiang mobilized the police to assault student protesters during the Sunflower Movement. She was quickly scooped up by Tsai to head the DPP’s Department of Women’s Development. Her connection to a Tsai faction is speculative, and based on the assumption that Lin would have worked closely with Tsai at DPP HQ.

Cheng Yun-peng (鄭運鵬) has been linked with both Frank Hsieh and Su Tseng-chang’s camps in the past, but appears to have floated towards the “Tsai-leaning” category during his tenure as Tsai’s spokesperson during the 2016 general election campaign.

Chen Ying (陳瑩) served as a legislator-at-large during the Chen Shui-bian era, and was part of his Justice Alliance faction (正義連線). During the 2012 general election campaign, she was pushed out of the DPP party list safe section by the factions. She was selected by Su Tseng-chang to head the DPP’s Aboriginal Affairs department during Su’s tenure as chairperson, and Tsai kept her on in that position later on. Her connection to a Tsai faction is speculative, and based on the assumption that Chen would have worked closely with Tsai at DPP HQ.

Su Chen-ching (蘇震清) comes from the Pingtung “Small Su” faction, and is Su Jia-qyuan’s nephew. I have no resources identifying Su Chen-ching as a Tsai faction member, but we can speculate Chen-ching would follow his uncle’s lead on faction issues.

Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) is one of Frank Hsieh’s most visible and consistent allies, and has been called a “commander” of the Hsieh faction. On some occasions, he appears to act as Hsieh’s unofficial spokesperson. Lee was a dissident activist in the 1980’s, and was involved with the US-based “World United Formosans for Independence” advocacy group. He was also heavily involved in Ko Wen-je’s successful Taipei mayoral campaign.

Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) is a former SET-TV news host, and now a frequent guest on political TV talk shows. He previously served as legislator from 2005 to 2008. He’s an uncle to DPP spokesperson, and prominent New Tide member Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青).

Yao Wen-chih (姚文智) is consistently labelled one of Hsieh’s “soldiers” (子弟兵). His most recent claim to fame is his unsuccessful challenge to be the 2014 DPP mayoral candidate. According to a report from the Journalist, Hsieh was “slightly embarrassed” by Yao’s challenge.

Chiang Yung-chang (江永昌) is a New Taipei city local legislator and a member of Zhonghe’s Lin-chiang faction (林江派). Coincidentally, “30-second” legislator and Zhonghe “motel king” Chang Ching-chung (張慶忠) is also from the same faction. Chiang and Chang faced off in the 2016 legislative election. Reports claim he is part of the Hsieh faction.

Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) is one of Hsieh’s most trusted lieutenants, and is likely gunning for the Kaohsiung mayoral seat when Chen Chu steps down in 2018. There has been some tension between Kuan and the Chen Chu faction in the past. In 2012, Chen Chu lieutenant Liu Shih-fang did not make it onto the DPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), and Chen accused Kuan of pooling her votes with the Su faction to keep Liu off the CEC.

Wang Ting-yu (王定宇), is labelled as both a Hsieh “ally”, and a full member of his faction. He’s a frequent guest on the popular SETN talk show “New Taiwan Go Go Go”. Wang was thought to have a poor working relationship with New Tide’s William Lai, although this has likely changed after the recent Tainan Earthquake.

Su Chih-fen (蘇治芬) powerful figure in Yunlin and is a former member of the now disbanded Welfare State Alliance faction (福利國), which was composed of both Frank Hsieh and Su Tseng-chang. She appears to have maintained better relations with Hsieh. She may have caused a bit of a ripple in the Hsieh faction when she backed New Tide’s Lee Chin-yung (李進勇) to be the next county magistrate over Hsieh loyalist Lee Ying-yuan.

Gao Jyh-peng (高志鵬) is one of Chen Shui-bian’s former allies, and is now a strong supporter of Yu Shyi-kun. Gao acted as Yu’s election campaign manager during Yu’s unsuccessful run for New Taipei City in 2014. As one of the DPP’s longest-serving legislators in New Taipei City, he will likely covet the mayor’s seat when Eric Chu steps down in 2018.

Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) is a long-serving Tainan City legislator, and one of Yu’s oldest allies. She has sometimes been a critic of Tainan mayor William Lai’s style of governance. Chen currently serves on the DPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).

Liu Chao-hao (劉櫂豪) has been linked with the Yu faction in a number of media reports, but also shares a good working relationship with Tsai Ing-wen. Liu ran unsuccessfully for Taitung County magistrate four times in a row.

Chen Ou-po (陳歐珀) is often reported as part of the Yu faction, but has had a rocky relationship with Yu Shyi-kun in the past. Chen is known as a prickly figure, and difficult to get along with. PTT netizens think he’s a moron (白目).

Tsai Shih-ying (蔡適應) has good relations with Keelung’s current mayor Lin Shih-chang, and was a previously a Keelung city councillor. He’s been called a member of the DPP’s “party aide generation”, and is reported to not have any explicit connection to any faction. However, Yu Shyi-kun and Yu lieutenant Gao Jyh-peng paid Tsai Shih-ying an inordinate amount of visits during his campaign. Yu also shares a close relationship with current Keelung mayor Lin Shih-chang.

Lu Sun-ling (呂孫綾) is the daughter of former New Taipei City councillor Lu Tzu-chang (呂子昌). Apparently, the Lu family is a powerful political force in the Tamsui area. Frozen Garlic has an excellent post about the Lu family on his blog.

Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) wears his Su faction colors “on his sleeve”, according to some reports, and has also been called one of Su’s chief lieutenants. Wu will likely gun for the New Taipei City mayor’s seat when Eric Chu steps down in 2018. He’ll have strong support from Su Tseng-chang.

Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) is Su Tseng-chang’s daughter. In February 2016, the DPP’s party elders vigorously pushed their sons and daughters to enter the 2016 DPP primaries, with Yu Shyi-kun’s son Yu Bing-tao (游秉陶), Chen Shui-bian’s son Chen Chi-chung (陳致中), and Su Chiao-hui hoping to be named the DPP’s official candidates. Su Chiao-hui was the only successful primary candidate selected.

Chen Lai Su-mei (陳賴素美) is a long-serving Taoyuan County councillor. Chen is also the wife of DPP Chen Yi-hsuan (陳奕瑄), who appears to have sat on the DPP’s Central Standing Committee in the past. Both Chen Lai Su-mei and Chen Yi-hsuan have been linked to Su’s camp.

Wu Kun-yuh (吳焜裕) is an associate professor at National Taiwan University’s School of Public Health. He’s a professional-type legislator specializing in food safety issues, and does not have any factional connections.

Wu Yu-chin (吳玉琴) is secretary-general of the Federation for the Welfare of the Elderly (FWE). Wu has been a vocal critic of the KMT government’s elderly care policies. Wu is a professional-type legislator, and does not have any factional allegiances. Former DPP legislator Chen Chieh-ju (陳節如) is a key supporter of the FWE.

Mary Chen Man-li (陳曼麗) is the former chairperson of the Homemaker Union and Foundation (HUF). She is a vocal activist for environmental issues, and renewable energy. Chen is also one of two former Taiwan Green Party members now acting as a DPP legislator-at-large. She has no reported factional connections.

Wang Jung-chang (王榮璋) is the former convener of the Alliance for Fair Tax Reform. He has been a vocal critic of the country’s pension system, and has urged reform. Wang is also the League of Welfare Organizations for the Disabled’s secretary general. In addition, Wang also served as legislator-at-large during Chen Shui-bian’s second term as president. He has no reported factional connections.

Kolas Yotaka is a former TV anchor, and Taoyuan’s Aboriginal Affairs Bureau before being selected to be on the DPP’s party list ballot. Although she was “recruited” by Taoyuan mayor Cheng Wen-tsan of New Tide, she has not been connected to New Tide in media reports.

Karen Yu Wan-ju (余宛如) is one of the founders of OKOGreen, a social enterprise that sells fair-trade coffee beans. Yu is also one of two former Taiwan Green Party members now acting as a DPP legislator-at-large. She has no reported factional connections.

Chou Chun-mi (周春米) is a lawyer who represented the victims’ families in the Shuangyuan Bridge collapse case. She has no reported factional connections.

Cheng Pao-ching (鄭寶清) is a veteran DPP member who previously served one-term as legislator in 1999. Cheng was interested in running for mayor of Taoyuan, but was beat out in the nomination process by New Tide’s Chen Wen-tsan. He was linked to the Justice Alliance faction during the Chen Shui-bian era but has not joined any faction since.

Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) is a faction unto himself, and one of the Legislative Yuan’s most powerful and influential figures. He’s been reported to be “uninterested” in joining a faction.

Liu Chien-kuo (劉建國) was Su Chih-fen’s subordinate when he served as Yunlin County councillor. He appears to have slowly worked his way up the ladder without the assistance of the party factions (although Yunlin’s Su Shih-fen supported his initial bid for legislator). I have not found any positive leads proving he is a part of a faction.

Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) is Chiayi City’s legislative representative. He frequently appears on Taiwan’s TV talk show circuit, and is a legendary for his excellent question period videos. I have not found any positive leads proving he is a part of a faction.

Tsai Yi-yu (蔡易餘) is a local faction politician from Chiayi county. He is a member of the Chiayi County Lin faction, along with fellow Chiayi legislator Chen Wen-ming. If Chen’s influence over Tsai Yi-yu is strong, he could be considered part of the Tsai Ing-wen faction, but I have found no leads to corroborate that theory.

Huang Wei-cher (黃偉哲) is a former member of Chen Shui-bian’s Justice Alliance faction, but has not joined another faction since the DPP factions dissolution in 2006. He seems to be happy with this decision, and has not been associated with any factions since.

Yang Yao (楊曜) does not appear to be part of any of the major DPP factions. PTT netizens speculate that he is part of the Yu faction, but I’ve found nothing to back that up.

Yu Mei-nu (尤美女) is the founding director of the National Alliance of Taiwan Women’s Association. Yu shares a close relationship with former Vice-President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮). Netizens have suggested she shares close relations with New Tide, but I have not found any reports to corroborate this theory. Some media reports have suggested she is part of the Tsai faction.

Appendix 3: Mayor and County Magistrate footnotes

New Tide faction:

Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) is a long-time DPP party spokesperson, and now a formidable political force in Taoyuan. His links to New Tide are well-established.

Yunlin County Magistrate Lee Hsin-yung (李進勇) is originally a member of the defunct Justice Alliance faction (正義連線), but appears to have drifted towards New Tide after they supported him to be Yunlin’s next county magistrate. He shares good relations with Yunlin legislator Su Chih-fen.

Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Meng-an (潘孟安) is a long-serving member of New Tide, with dozens of reports linking him to the faction. He is also linked to the Pingtung “Big Su” faction, along with party elder Su Tseng-chang and New Tide DPP legislator Chung Chia-bin.

Taichung City Mayor Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has been labelled one of Yu’s “soldiers” in a number of news reports. Lin was previously considered a member of Chen Shui-bian’s faction. Some reports suggest Lin is already his own man, and does not lean on Yu for support. Lin has a testy relationship with the Central Taiwan chapter of New Tide.

Chiayi County Magistrate Chang Hwa-kuan (張花冠) is a member of the Yunlin Lin faction, along with legislators Chen Ming-wen and Tsai Yi-yu. She is considered Tsai faction because of Chen’s association with Tsai Ing-wen.

Chiayi City Mayor Twu Hsing-cher (塗醒哲) is a former DPP legislator-at-large, and does not appear to have any connection to the Chiayi Lin faction. No media resources connecting him to the above factions could be found.

Hsinchu City Mayor Lin Chi-chien (林智堅) shares a close relationship with current Legislative Yuan majority leader Ker Chien-ming. Lin is listed as part of New Tide in a number PTT threads and news reports, but I’ve found nothing substantive to corroborate this claim.